How to Support Elderly Parents: Tips for Families

According to the Pew Research Center, about 66% of adults say grown children should have a great deal or a fair amount of responsibility to care for elderly parents. However, it's not always easy seeing your parents grow older. You need to manage their needs and your own before you experience burnout.

Caring for elderly parents can feel rewarding, but navigating this new dynamic can also feel challenging. You're not going through it alone. Read on for our tips on helping aging parents to ease into your new role.

Assess Their Needs

Before applying the rest of these family caregiving tips, assess your parents' current and future needs. Sit down and talk about any challenges they're facing regarding:

Taking medications on time
Personal care (continence issues, bathing, etc.)
Cleaning, cooking, and other household chores
Driving, walking, or other mobility issues
Visiting the doctor
Maintaining their independence

Assessing their needs can help you determine what types of senior care support they require most. You can decide if you need additional resources to ensure those needs are met.

For example, perhaps your parents need help during the day due to mobility or continence issues. They may prefer living in a senior living community where they can receive around-the-clock care. If your parents want to maintain their independence while still having access to professionals, they may prefer assisted or independent living options.

Once you assess their needs, consider your own. For example:

Would you prefer they live in a senior living community nearby?
Are you healthy enough to look after them?
Do you have family or work commitments that limit your time?
Are you capable of meeting their health needs?

As you begin caring for elderly parents, it's important to take care of yourself, too. Otherwise, you may stretch yourself thin or struggle to meet their needs. Don't take on more than you can handle alone.

Keep Communicating

While applying these family caregiving tips, maintain constant communication with your elderly parents. Open communication will remind them that their opinions matter. Otherwise, they may feel uncomfortable losing their independence.

Check in with your parents regularly. Determine if their needs have changed over time or if they require additional care. Ongoing communication can ensure those needs are met.

To make communication easier, make sure your parents have access to a smartphone. Encourage them to socialize with you, other family members, and friends.

According to the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging, two in three seniors feel isolated. Social isolation can affect a senior's mental and physical health, causing:

Heart disease
Depression
Cognitive decline
Weakened immunity
Alzheimer's disease
High blood pressure
Anxiety

Encourage your parents to socialize with others. They can find opportunities to socialize through their senior living community's events calendar.

Establish a Routine

Creating a routine for you and your parents can give everyone a sense of structure and accomplishment. Your parents will find comfort in knowing what to expect from the day, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. This will also help them maintain their independence.

Establish set times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Try to incorporate activities for hobbies and exercise.

If your elderly parents are bored, sit down and talk to them. Discuss what they enjoy and find ways to help them explore new activities. For example, they may want to continue their education (which may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's-type dementia).

Start Managing Senior Health

Make managing senior health part of your regular routine. Keep in touch with your parents' healthcare professionals and schedule routine check-ups. Regular check-ups will allow you to address any problems or new symptoms before they develop further.

Talk to their doctors about the medications your parents need to take. Determine if there are potential side effects or food interactions.

You can use technology to better manage your parents' health. These include:

Electronic pill dispensers
Wearable activity trackers
Fall detection bracelets

Consider Home Safety

As we age, healing from injuries can take longer. Prioritize prevention to help your parents avoid potential accidents. Making adjustments to their living space can reduce the risk of a slip or fall.

Consider:

Installing grab rails in the bathroom
Fitting mats and rugs properly
Reducing clutter and clearing pathways
Ensuring all rooms are well-lit

Gather Family Caregiving Tips

For more family caregiving tips, turn to other adults who have faced the same challenges before you. Helpful resources include:

The National Institute on Aging
The Eldercare Locator
Family Care Navigator

For example, you may consider joining a caregiver support group. You can gather advice and hear firsthand accounts from other caregivers. Their prior experience can help you develop an effective, efficient plan while ensuring you avoid potential mistakes.

Care for Yourself

As you begin helping aging parents, make sure to take time for yourself. Develop self-care practices like:

Meditation
Yoga
Journaling
Eating well
Prioritizing sleep
Staying active
Reducing stress

Neglecting to take care of yourself may cause burnout. You'll have an even more difficult time caring for your elderly parents.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, reach out to a family member, mental health professional, or friend. Ask someone to step in and give yourself the chance to take a break.

Be kind to yourself as you apply these tips. Remember, you're not alone.

Request Senior Care Support

For additional senior care support, consider touring a local senior living community. Choose a community that will customize its services based on each resident's distinct needs. These communities can provide your loved ones with an additional level of care.

Get Support for Your Elderly Parents

While your elderly parents likely need your help, remember: you don't have to do it all alone. Instead, consider LakeHouse Menomonee, the best senior living community in Menomonee Falls, WI.

We'll provide clinical oversight and coordination of care 24 hours a day. You'll have peace of mind knowing your parents have ongoing senior care support.

We develop individualized care plans to meet each resident's needs and wants. Discover our engaging activities, comfortable living options, and personalized services. Contact us now to schedule a tour.